The Sterling Daily Gazette, Sterling, Illinois

December 2, 1937 - Thursday, page 7

JOHN  JOSEPH  COPELAND

War Veteran of Near Hooppole Takes Own Life - Body of John J. Copeland Found In Bedroom By His Window

The body of John Joseph Copeland, 44, World war veteran, was found by his wife in a bedroom of the farm home two miles north of Hooppole Wednesday afternoon.  Copeland had shot himself with a 16 gauge shotgun some time between 2 and 3:30 o'clock.  Mrs Copeland and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Heitzler had gone to Prophetstown on business and on returning could not find Mr. Copeland about the place.  On investigation they located the body.

Copeland had been in poor health since last September when he had suffered an attack of influenza.  He had also been a sufferer from high blood pressure and sinus trouble.  The verdict of the coroner's jury was that he had shot himself while despondent over ill health.  The inquest was held at the Wilson Funeral Parlors at Annawan Wednesday night.

Copeland was born Sept. 16, 1893 at Dubuque, Ia., a son of Albert and Mary Driscoll Copeland.  He enlisted in the Army during the World War at Forest City, Ia.   After the war he went to the vicinity of Hooppole and worked as a farm hand.  On Oct 5, 1920 he was united in marriage to Miss Neva Swan, the daughter of his employer.  There were no children.

Surviving are the widow, one brother, James Copeland, and one sister, Mrs. Felix Cassidy, both of Benton, Wis., an aunt, Miss Hannah Driscoll of Dubuque, and an uncle, John Copeland or Orlando, Fla.  His parents preceded him in death.  Funeral arrangements are pending.

(Burial:  Leon  Cemetery)